The 2025-26 season is fast approaching, and Inter Milan seeks to rebound following a disappointing finish to the previous season. The Nerazzurri missed out on winning the Serie A title on the final matchday of the 2024-25 season, followed by a humiliating 5-0 loss to PSG in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final. Amid these setbacks, a significant shift occurred as the club decided to part ways with former manager Simone Inzaghi, who soon after took the reins at Al-Hilal. Inzaghi, who guided the team to two Champions League finals and clinched one Scudetto during his tenure, has now been replaced by former Champions League winner Cristian Chivu.
Chivu, previously a youth coach at Inter, had a brief spell at Parma, where he managed just 13 games. Under his leadership, Inter faced clashes against Olympiacos as they prepared for the new season, starting off against Torino on August 25.
Inter’s Big Change
One of the main uncertainties for the new season revolves around coach Cristian Chivu. While he carries notable history with Inter as a player, his managerial experience remains limited. Chivu’s working relationship with the club’s current directors aided in his hiring, yet the selection process included other candidates such as Cesc Fabregas, who stays with Como. Chivu emerged as the front-runner and took charge just before the Club World Cup, despite limited training time with his squad.
A Revolution that Didn’t Happen
Doubts about the upcoming season extend beyond Chivu’s inexperience; they also stem from the club’s decisions over the summer. Even before Inzaghi’s departure, speculation circulated around roster alterations, especially concerning aging central defenders: Stefan de Vrij, aged 33, and Francesco Acerbi, approaching 38. With the summer transfer deadline looming, the club appears less inclined to sign a new defender and is instead prioritizing an attacking player and midfielder. The decision not to pursue Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old who joined Liverpool for around $30 million, sheds light on Italian clubs’ reluctance to invest in younger talent and their preference for seasoned players.
